- Presentation to spotlight lead clinical candidate FMP374—an innovative dual-acting NMDAR modulator advancing toward IND-enabling studies for TRD
HEIDELBERG, Germany, Feb. 17, 2026 — FundaMental Pharma GmbH (or “the Company”), a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm focused on developing cutting-edge dual-acting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulators to deliver rapid, sustained relief for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), today announced it has been selected as one of 12 leading companies to present at the prestigious Bio-Neuroscience Conference—the premier global gathering of neuroscience innovation leaders, investors, and pharmaceutical executives. This event will take place February 24–26, 2026, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, featuring organizations that demonstrate excellence and leadership in neuroscience research and therapeutic innovation.
NMDAR is the most compelling clinically validated target for TRD, a condition affecting over 30% of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients who do not respond to at least two different antidepressants. Through its innovative, neurobiology-driven approach, FundaMental Pharma aims to redefine the TRD treatment paradigm and meaningfully improve outcomes for patients with severe unmet medical needs.
Dr. Dirk Beher, Chief Executive Officer of FundaMental Pharma, will deliver a presentation highlighting the scientific foundation of lead candidate FMP374, the unique approach to NMDAR modulation, and the robust preclinical data supporting its progression toward IND-enabling studies.
“Our selection for this prestigious conference underscores our scientific breakthrough and validates the significant commercial and therapeutic potential of our TRD treatment approach,” stated Dr. Dirk Beher, Chief Executive Officer of FundaMental Pharma. “We are committed to addressing critical unmet needs for TRD patients. FMP374 leverages a clinically validated target and introduces a proprietary dual-acting mechanism, aiming to deliver strong efficacy alongside superior pharmacological margins over unwanted side effects. This innovation represents a transformative opportunity to set a new benchmark in TRD treatment and unlock substantial value for patients, clinicians, and our stakeholders.”
FundaMental Pharma’s lead candidate FMP374 is an orally bioavailable dual-acting NMDAR modulator that uniquely combines disruption of the NMDAR/TRPM4 complex with NMDAR antagonism. This novel mechanism aims to enhance antidepressant efficacy while reducing the exaggerated NMDAR pharmacology associated with current standard-of-care (SOC) treatments. Current SOC requires supervised in-clinic administration due to risks of dissociation and hallucination; FMP374 is designed to address these challenges while preserving the rapid onset benefits of NMDAR-targeted therapies.
Multiple studies of FMP374 have demonstrated rapid, sustained antidepressant effects in gold-standard depression models at low nanomolar unbound CNS drug concentrations, with exceptional ≥10–20x margins over unwanted NMDAR-related side effects. Importantly, FMP374 shows no evidence of dissociation-like behaviors, hallucination-associated proxies, ataxia, or hyperactivity at efficacious doses in representative models—supporting its potential as an oral at-home therapy for TRD patients. Its novel dual-acting mechanism positions FMP374 as a transformative solution for those unresponsive to existing antidepressants. Backed by robust preclinical data, FMP374 is ready for IND-enabling studies.
Presentation details are as follows:
Location: Hotel Jakarta, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Presentation Title: Novel Dual-Acting NMDA Receptor Modulators for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Date & Time: Wednesday, 25 February 2026 – 16:45 CET
Presenter: Dr. Dirk Beher, Chief Executive Officer, FundaMental Pharma
Bio-Neuroscience is an initiative of Broadreach Global, co-organized with Host Partners Amsterdam Neuroscience.
For more information, please contact:
Optimum Strategic Communications
Zoe Bolt, Elena Bates, Nellie Stephens
+44 (0) 203 882 9621
About FundaMental Pharma
FundaMental Pharma GmbH is a preclinical biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing mental health by addressing treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Founded as a spin-off from Heidelberg University, the company is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany. Its research builds on the pioneering work of Professor Hilmar Bading and Dr. Jing Yan (published in Science, Yan et al., 2020), leading to the development of proprietary dual-acting NMDAR modulators.
These dual-acting molecules uniquely disrupt the complex formed between NMDAR and the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 4 (TRPM4) while acting as potent NMDAR antagonists.
FMP374 has shown robust antidepressant-like efficacy at low nanomolar concentrations, with no evidence of dissociation-associated behaviors, ataxia, or hyperactivity at efficacious doses in preclinical proof-of-concept studies—supporting its potential as an at-home therapy. The molecule is orally bioavailable and ready for IND-enabling studies. Through its innovative neurobiology-driven approach, FundaMental Pharma aims to redefine the TRD treatment paradigm and meaningfully improve outcomes for patients with severe unmet medical needs. For further information, please visit .
About Bio-Neuroscience
Bio-Neuroscience is the leading international event where neuroscience drug development pioneers, leaders, and decision-makers gather for 2.5 days of uninterrupted, high-level, impactful interactive discussions, networking, and business development. Held February 24–26, 2026, at Hotel Jakarta in Amsterdam, the summit is limited to just 200 senior stakeholders—including CEOs of high-potential private and public neuroscience drug development companies, Managing Partners, Partners, and Directors of leading corporate venture and VC funds active in the sector, Global Heads of Healthcare Investment Banking, CEOs and C-level executives from top neuroscience specialty pharma, Heads of Therapeutic Area and Business Development/Licensing from top 20 big pharma in the space, plus key opinion leaders and regulatory officials. Bio-Neuroscience is an initiative of Broadreach Global, co-organized with Amsterdam Neuroscience. For more information and registration, visit .
